Limitation of activity in an acute model of arthritis: effect of drug treatment.
OBJECTIVE
The limitation of activity and its modification by therapy in an experimental arthritis was studied.


METHODS
Female hamsters in groups of six per treatment were used.


METHODS
An acute arthritis was induced by intraarticular injection of 0.1 microgram lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in hamsters with free access to running wheels. Tenidap at 100 mg%, and piroxicam and indomethacin at 30 mg% were administered in the hamster's normal diet.


METHODS
Activity was monitored and analysed by computer. Plasma blood levels of drugs were determined by high pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis.


RESULTS
Hamsters normally run 10-15 km/day. That distance was reduced to less than 2 km/day after arthritis induction. Speed of movement, essentially the equivalent of walking time, was reduced 40% by the arthritis. However, the time spent in movement (activity time) was more severely affected by arthritic disease. Therapy gave a modest 1.3-fold increase in speed of movement, but a highly significant 2-fold increase in activity time.


CONCLUSIONS
The effects of arthritis on activity in this animal model suggest that time spent in movement (activity time) should be considered as an outcome measure in clinical studies. These observations may also help explain why the modest disease improvements obtained with cyclooxygenase inhibition are valued. From a patient perspective, a doubling of activity time is a highly significant improvement in quality-of-life.
Bliven
M L
ML
Department of Cancer, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT 06340, USA. marcia_l_bliven@groton.pfizer.com
Eskra
J D
JD
Otterness
I G
IG
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001168:Arthritis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D006224:Cricetinae; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D007211:Indoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008647:Mesocricetus; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D000078183:Oxindoles; D010894:Piroxicam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D007211:Indoles; D000078183:Oxindoles; D010894:Piroxicam; C062866:tenidap; D007213:Indomethacin